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Road to Super Bowl runs through Peyton Manning's house

Denver Broncos wide receiver Demaryius Thomas (88) reaches up for the ball and catches it for a touchdown over Kansas City Chiefs free safety Tysyn Hartman (31) during the third quarter. The Denver Broncos vs Kansas City Chiefs at Sports Authority Field Sunday December 30, 2012. Joe Amon, The Denver Post (THE DENVER POST | Joe Amon)

The road to the Super Bowl runs through Peyton Manning's house.

Chew on that, Tom Brady. With their 38-3 victory against Kansas City on Sunday, the Broncos secured the No. 1 seed and home-field advantage from here to New Orleans, site of Super Bowl XLVII. During the NFL playoffs, does Andrew Luck really want to show his face in Denver wearing an Indianapolis jersey?

"I truly feel like there is a 12th-man advantage here," Manning said Sunday. "And that's what you want."

Welcome home, Peyton. Stay as long as you like.

As the third quarter ended with a 32-point Denver advantage, the Broncos sprinted the field's length so happily their feet barely touched the ground. As the crowd of 76,502 stood to scream in a single voice, you could feel something in the 27-degree Colorado air.

Broncomaniacs feel it in their bones. This is the closest the local NFL team has been to a championship since John Elway last buckled his chin strap.

Yes, we do recall the Broncos of Al Wilson and Rod Smith advanced to the conference title game in January 2006, only to have their dreams trampled by Ben Roethlisberger and Pittsburgh.

"This team is better," Denver cornerback Champ Bailey said, without requiring so much as a second to contemplate his answer. "I think our defense is better. We had a good offense (during the 2005 season). But our pass rush is way better. The secondary is better. I feel like we have better pieces."

This time it's for real. This team is a real contender that has more than a prayer to win it all.

"I'm wondering why it's so quiet from the camp that was screaming about trading Tim Tebow, while saying Manning was washed up," said Broncos fan Becky Browning of Estes Park.

When the Houston Texans blew a chance to clinch the top seed in the AFC by losing to Indianapolis only minutes before Denver kicked off against Kansas City, the Broncos fully understood what good fortune had been presented to a team that began the season with a 2-3 record after a tough early schedule.

Peyton Manning talks to the Broncos offensive line after they scored a touchdown on their first possession against Kansas City. More photos. (Steve Nehf, The Denver Post)

"All I know is this opportunity doesn't come along very often, and I'm going to make the most of it. I just have got to make sure everybody else understands," Bailey said.

Is this the best chance for the Broncos to win a championship in more than a decade?

"That's an easy answer," said Tom Nalen, who won two Super Bowl rings as the center for Denver. "I'm jealous. This team makes me wish I was still playing."

The Broncos are three victories away from partying like it's 1999, when the team last won the Super Bowl on a humid Florida night, during what proved to be Elway's grand farewell from the franchise.

The Denver Post's NFL reporters post analysis, notes and more on this blog focusing on the Denver Broncos.

You think Broncos Country is off-the-hook crazy with anticipation of what might happen next? Well, you should have been inside the Denver locker room after the game, where Von Miller wore a cowboy hat, work boots and a towel, while declaring: "There's a party in the shower!"

While the voting is not final for NFL most valuable player, Manning has about as much chance of beating out Minnesota running back Adrian Peterson for the award as the 36-year-old Denver quarterback had of tackling Chiefs cornerback Brandon Flowers, as he rumbled 64 yards with a fumble recovery in the first quarter.

"I didn't get the tackle?" protested Manning, in mock disbelief. No offense, Mr. Manning. But its apparent you're the son of a quarterback, not a linebacker.

The Broncos secured a bye week and home-field advantage throughout the playoffs with their 38-3 win over the Kansas City Chiefs on Sunday at Sports Authority Field at Mile High, coupled with the Houston Texans' loss at Indianapolis earlier in the day. (John Leyba, The Denver Post)

Amid all this rambunctious fun, would it be OK for a brief moment of serious reflection?

In his first campaign with the Broncos, Manning broke single-season franchise records for completions (400), passing yards (4,659), touchdowns (37) and quarterback rating (105.8). As Manning was leaving the stadium, however, he paused to grab an acquaintance's hand and offered a very earnest: "Happy new year."

At the outset of 2012, Manning was unwanted by the Colts and uncertain how well he could play after four surgeries on his neck. Monday evening, as 2012 comes to a close, you can bet Manning will take time to count his blessings before the clock strikes midnight.

"I definitely will take the time to reflect," Manning said. "It's been a gratifying regular season. I will admit that. It was certainly more than I expected. I'm grateful and I'm humble for it."

The football gods don't invite me over to watch NFL games on television.

But was that Rocky Mountain thunder we heard in celebration of the Broncos' 11th straight victory?

Or have the football gods taken a rooting interest in seeing Manning reach the Super Bowl?

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